Voice Over Rates

Hi Mark.

I don't think I would personally feel comfortable recording anything on a "per word" basis. More hassle than it is worth. Does that really factor in everything involved in your recording session?

I would charge per hour, & increments of. Remember that they are getting studio & production time, plus your talent and & end product.

You can estimate how long your booking will be based on your own experience of recording - but the general take is that for longer pieces you'll generally get about 3000 words recorded in an hour, using an approximate 150wpm rate (that's what "they" [they=the Agency pros] say we speak per minute at an average pace). So, the word count of the piece divided by wpm etc & hey presto : block out your time & charge accordingly.

Be happy with your rate but be careful not to "give" your work away - as you might end up unwittingly committing a disservice to the rest of us. I think its ok to tweak an hourly rate dependent on the client & the project. Or you might opt for a project rate. If you record from home, nothing is set in stone.

Anyway, that's my view on things - others may see different. I'd be keen to know what others think myself. Hope that was helpful :)

• 12 years ago
• 1

This was from the website voicefinder.biz before it disappeared. It's useful though.

BSFs have not changed greatly since the 1990s due to the growing number of voices in the marketplace and the globalisation of the industry, a process which is speeding up. The current figure is in the range of £160 for the first hour upwards when negotiated between a voiceover artist and a client direct. When booking artists via an agency producers can expect to pay between £180-200+ per hour with the voice receiving that amount less the agency's commission which is typically 15% with some of the larger agents on 16.5%.

It is standard for artists to work at discounted hourly rates for half or full-day bookings or repeat work. Experienced voiceover artists reasonably expect to work for the rates detailed below (before any deductions for commission if you are working via an agent). Voicefinder encourages "new talent" to charge less than experienced voices due to them not being as quick in studio. Producers may want to offer "new talent" voices a fixed fee for the whole job rather than a BSF.
Fee guidelines by type of session


Voicefinder.biz recommends the following rates (revised 2008 - ALL RATES QUOTED ARE BEFORE ANY COMMISSION WHERE APPLICABLE):

* Radio commercials: £180 per hour plus a per script usage fee if aired (usage for broadcast on British radio is usually a buy-out for 3 months per network - amounts vary from £55 for local radio to £400 for national radio (ie. Classic FM)
* TV commercials: £185-£250 per hour plus a per script usage fee if aired
- usage fee for broadcast on British TV is calculated according to how many times the commercial is broadcast on each terrestrial channel (this type of usage fee is known as TVR - TV Repeats).
- On cable and satellite TV, a buy-out for one year is more common.
* Documentaries for UK broadcast: £180 BSF per hour plus a rights buy out. Usage is negotiable but should reflect the rights required. For example UK transmission rights only would command a cheaper buy out than deals where the production company is looking for international rights and possible sell through to DVD. Producers and voices should be clear about what rights are required and be prepared to negotiate a session and usage deal of £250-£300 and upwards. The larger documentary makers have been driving hard bargains in recent years.
* Advertising narrative: (usually script reading for pre-tests): £175 per hour (no usage)
* Corporate video: £180-£200 per hour (no usage)
* Corporate promotion: (includes Internet broadcast, promotional CDs, display show exhibits and other business-to-consumer products): £180-£200 plus a buy-out in perpetuity (100% - 200%)
* Computer games: £200 plus usage fee (negotiable - usually a buy-out in the form of a higher hourly rate). One agency has a standard policy of charging £230 for computer games work including the usage.
* Equity rates for ADR: strictly confined to film and television dubbing and educational material. The Equity minimum rate is £220 for film dubbing per 4 hour session. Please check http://www.equity.org.uk/ for specific information regarding any entitlements the voiceover artists may have regarding repeat fees or slightly different rates for television dubbing.

The above fees are a good guide to current rates but should not be seen as rigid.

• 12 years ago
• 2

Any updates on voice over rates? This post is 8 years old... is there a per word rate? New to this and don’t want to undercut others unintentionally/drive the market down.
Thx

• 3 years ago
• 3